In the field of forensic medicine, the first step is usually to clarify the manner of death and only then the cause of death. Forensic medicine is commissioned by the public prosecutor's office if the manner of death is unclear or not natural. Establishing the identity of the deceased and answering questions to reconstruct the course of events are often additional tasks. In this field, deceased persons in any state of preservation are examined.

The main task of human taxidermists here, as in the pathology department, is to assist with autopsies. This includes preparation, supporting the doctors during the procedure, carrying out particularly elaborate and technically challenging procedures, and professionally restoring the cadaver as aftercare.

The area of responsibility also includes dealing with undertakers and, if necessary, with relatives. In addition to photography, other imaging methods such as computer tomography are used nowadays. The preparation of permanent specimens is now the exception rather than the rule in forensic medicine, but the most common preparation procedures should nevertheless be mastered. The other tasks depend strongly on the requirements of the institute. This can be, among other things, responsible collaboration in the field of imaging, support of other departments, ordering and disposal of materials and chemicals, etc.

In this field, human taxidermists need not only anatomical knowledge but also in-depth knowledge of traumatology, a high degree of flexibility and mental resilience and, of course, manual skills.